View full sizeBrent Wojahn/The OregonianA tow truck hauls away a Subaru that had earlier been involved in a collision with a Portland Police patrol car. The officer driving the patrol car was injured and taken to the hospital. His name was not released but a spokesman said his injuries were not life-threatening.

A patrol officer was taken to an area hospital this morning after an accident involving a commuter in Southwest Portland.

The accident happened about 7:30 a.m. on Southwest Naito Parkway just south of Market Street, said Lt. Robert King, a spokesman for Portland police. King said the unidentified officer did not suffer life-threatening injuries. The commuter, who was alone in a Subaru station wagon was not injured.

King said the officer was alone in the patrol car. He's in his 40s, has worked for the bureau for about 20 years and works a day shift out of Central Precinct, King said. King did not know what direction the officer was traveling or how fast the patrol car or Subaru were going.

"He was not in pursuit," King said. "I don't know if he was on a call."

The officer will be treated and released. "As soon as he's able, he'll return to work," King said.

Officers from Portland's Traffic Division are on scene, reconstructing the crash. The Police Bureau will conduct an inquiry.